Finger mounted tethered ball apparatus



Nov. 5, 1968 1 TAKASHI YONESHIGE 3,409,299

FINGER MOUNTED TETHERED BALL APPARATUS Filed Dec. 22, 1964 Fl 6 5 I nvvavron TA K4 5H! YONESHIG'E I6 BY HIS ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,409,299 FINGER MOUNTED TETHERED BALL APPARATUS Takaslii Yoneshige, 3120 Olu St., Honolulu, Hawaii 96816 Filed Dec. 22, 1964, Ser. No. 420,321 4 Claims. (Cl. 273-98) ABSTRACT THE DISCLOSURE Game apparatus having a closed ended sheath fittable on a single finger and adjustable to fit fingers of different sizes, a cup mounted on an outer end portion of the sheath, and a ball connected by a cord to the sheath and catchable in the cup.

This invention relates to games and has for its primary object to provide improved apparatus for playing a game of ball and cup in which the objective is to catch in a cup 2. ball connected thereto.

Another object of the invention is to provide apparatus for playing a ball and cup game whereby the challenge to the dexterity of a player is increased and the likelihood of breakage of the apparatus reduced by mounting the cup on a finger receptacle for movement of the cup and ball by a finger.

A further object of the invention is to provide apparatus for playing a ball and cup game wherein a finger receptacle mounting the cup is adjustable for fitting fingers of different size.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear hereinafter in the detailed description, be particularly pointed out in the appended claims and be illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of a preferred embodiment of the improved game apparatus of the present invention applied to a finger with the ball suspended from the finger receptacle;

FIGURE 2 is a plan view of the structure of FIGURE 1, but with the ball in the cup;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged perspective of the apparatus of FIGURE I removed from the finger;

FIGURE 4 is a bottom plan view of the receptacle on the scale of FIGURE 3; and

FIGURE 5 is a rear end elevational view of the receptacle on the scale of FIGURE 3.

Referring now in detail to the drawings in which like reference characters designate like parts, the improved game apparatus of this invention is comprised of a cup 1 mounted on and preferably bonded or otherwise suitably secured or fixed to a finger receptacle, stall or sheath 2.

Open at its inner end 3 to receive or fit over one of the five fingers 4 of a hand 5, the receptacle 2 has attached or connected to its preferably closed outer end or tip 6 by a rubber or other elastic or non-elastic string or cord 7, a ball 8 of a size to fit or be received in the cup 1. Apart from its size, the ball 8 may be of any suitable material, although a rubber or like elastic ball will ordinarily be the most satisfactory.

As opposed to the ball 8, the cup 1, or at least its annular side 9, ordinarily will be rigid and made of metal or rigid plastic material. Depending somewhat on its composition and that of the receptacle 2, the cup 1 may have its own bottom or be closed partly or entirely at the bottom by the included part of the receptacle. In either case the cup 1 preferably has a flared mouth or entrance 10 to facilitate entry of the ball 8.

Although the receptacle 2 is illustrated applied to or on the ring finger, an intriguing aspect of the apparatus of the present invention is that the game of catching the ball 8 in the cup 1 can be played with any finger, thus 3,409,299 Patented Nov. 5, 1968 "ice affording an almost infinite challenge to the dexterity of the player. To this end, as well as to enable the apparatus to be used by different people, the receptacle 2 should be adjustable to fit fingers of different size. Lengthwise, the

receptacle 2 may be of a length to cover only a fingers.

distal phalanx 11 or, as illustrated, to extend inwardly to the middle or adjoining phalanx 12 and include or cover and, if desired, immobilize the second or intervening interphalangeal joint 13. Once the extent of the receptacle has been determined upon, a compromise length will fit most fingers.

Girth is more of a problem but not an insolvable one, since the important consideration is that the receptacle fit a finger snugly at some point so as not to turn or fall ofi as the game is being played. Thus, the receptacle can be made of rubber or other elastic or stretch material of sufficient stretch to fit fingers of various girths, or the receptacle can be made of a material such as leather that, while flexible, is relatively inelastic and still fit fingers of a wide size range. As in the illustrated embodiment, this is accomplishable by making the receptacle of a size to fit a large finger and providing, preferably in its underside, a slot or gap 14 extending outwardly from its inner end 3. By encircling or winding around the inner end portion of the receptacle within the longitudinal extremities of the slot 14, an elastic band, tape or, as illustrated, a slip ring or band 15 adjustable in girth by a wing nut 16, the girth of the encircled portion of the receptacle can be reduced to fit snugly over that area fingers of any smaller size. As desired, the ring or band 15 can either be separate from or suitably secured to the receptacle 2.

In playing the game, the receptacle 2 is fitted to the selected finger 4 with the cup 1 upright or on top and the captive ball 8, connected or attached to the cup through the receptacle, hanging or suspended from the latter. The player must then so move or maneuver the finger mounting the cup as to catch the ball in the cup.

From the above detailed description it will be apparent that there has been provided improved apparatus for playing a game of ball and cup which can be applied to fingers of different size and taxes the dexterity of the player. It should be understood that the described and disclosed embodiment is merely exemplary of the invention and that all modifications are intended to be included that do not depart from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. Game apparatus comprising a closed outer ended sheath for receiving and covering at least an outer part of a single finger, means for adjusting the girth of said sheath to fit fingers of different sizes, a cup mounted on an outer end portion of said sheath, a ball catchable in said cup, and cord means connecting said ball to said sheath.

2. Game apparatus comprising a sheath closed at an outer end and open at an inner end for receiving and covering at least a distal phalanx of a single finger, said sheath having a slot in a side thereof extending outwardly from said inner end, means encircling said sheath within longitudinal confines of said slot for adjusting the girth thereof to fit fingers of different size, a cup mounted on an outer end portion of said sheath, and a ball cord-connected to said sheath for catching in said cup.

3. Game apparatus comprising a flexible sheath closed and covering at least a distal phalanx of a single finger, means for adjusting the girth of said sheath to fit fingers of different size, a cup mounted on an outer end portion of said sheath, a ball catchable in said cup, and elastic cord means connecting said ball to said sheath.

4. Game apparatus comprising a flexible sheath open at an inner end for receiving and covering outer phalanxes 3 4 of a single finger, and substantially immobilizing a joint 1,027,871 5/1912 Manners 27267 therebetween, said sheath having a slot in a side thereof 1,174,205 3/1916 Underwood 27267 extending outwardly from said end, a slip ring encircling 3,098,654 7/1963 Larsen 27354 said sheath within longitudinal confines of said slot for 3,224,012 12/1965 Hamm 273-54 X adjusting the girth thereof to fit fingers of different size, 5 a cup mounted on an outer end portion of said sheath, FOREIGN PATENTS a ball catchablein said cup, and elastic cord means con- 1,119,532 1956 France. necting said ball to said sheath. 335,063 9/1930 Great Britain.

463,640 1951 Italy. References Cited U T STATES PATENTS ANTON O. OECHSLE, Primary Examiner. 3,130,971 4/1964 Boccardi et al 27396 X M. R. PAGE, Assistant Examiner.

710,090 9/1902 Wilson 27358 

